MAT 111 Summary of Key Points for Section 1.1
1.1 – Functions and Function Notation
The definition of a function
A function is a rule which takes certain numbers as inputs and assigns to each
input number exactly one output number. The output is a function of the input.
The inputs and outputs are also called variables.
A function can be described using words, data in a table, points on a graph, or by a formula.
When we use a function to describe an actual situation, the function is referred to as a
mathematical model.
Numerical, graphical and symbolic examples
Problems 6, 7, 8, 10, 18, 26, 28, 34 and some of your choice
The vertical line test
Vertical Line Test: If there is a vertical line which intersects a graph in more than
one point, then the graph does not represent a function.
Basic function concepts and language
Writing T = f(R) indicates that the relationship is a function.
Functions don’t have to be defined by formulas.
It is possible for two quantities to be related and yet for neither quantity to be a function of the
other.
MAT 111 Summary of Key Points for Section 1.2
1.2 Rate of Change Problems 4, 10, 12, 16, 17, 18, 24, and some of your choice.
Rate of Change of a Function over an interval
The average rate of change or rate of change, of Q with respect to t over an interval is:
Average rate of change over an interval =
The average rate of change of the function Q = f(t) over an interval tells us how much Q changes,
on average, for each unit change in t within that interval. On some parts of the interval, Q may
be changing rapidly, while on other parts Q may be changing slowly. The average rate of change
evens out these variations.
Increasing and Decreasing Functions
If Q=f(t) for t in the interval a ≤ t ≤ b,


f is an increasing function if the values of f increase as t increases on this interval.
f is a decreasing function if the values of f decrease as t increases on this interval.
If Q=f(t),


If f is an increasing function, then the average rate of change of Q with respect to t is
positive on every interval.
If f is a decreasing function, then the average rate of change of Q with respect to t is
negative on every interval.
In general, we can identify an increasing or decreasing function from its graph as follows:


The graph of an increasing function rises when read from left to right.
The graph of a decreasing function falls when read from left to right.
*Many functions have some intervals on which they are increasing and other intervals on which
they are decreasing. These intervals can often be identified from the graph.
Function Notation for the Average Rate of Change
1.3 Linear Functions
Average rate of change of Q=f(t) over the interval a ≤ t ≤ b =
.
MAT 111 Summary of Key Points for Section 1.3
1.3 Linear Functions
Problems 1–6, 7, 8, 15, 16, 20, 23, 27, and some of your choice
Constant Rate of Change
For many functions, the average rate of change is different on different intervals. Functions
which have the same average rate of change on every interval: graph = line (linear).
Linear Models: Population Growth
Mathematical models of population growth are used by city planners, biologists, and physicians.
One possible model, a linear model, assumes that a population changes as the same average rate
on every time interval.
Any linear function has the same average rate of change over every interval. Thus, we talk about
the rate of change of a linear function. In general:


A linear function has a constant rate of change.
The graph of any linear function is a straight line.
Slope and General Formula for the Family of Linear Functions
If y = f(x) is a linear function, then for some constants b and m:
y = b + mx.

m is called the slope, and gives the rate of change of y with respect to x. Thus,
.
If (x0, y0) and (x1, y1) are any two distinct points on the graph of f, then
.

b is called the vertical intercept, or y-intercept, and gives the value of y for x = 0.
In mathematical models, b typically represents and initial, or starting, value of the
output.
Every linear function can be written in the form y = b + mx. Different linear functions have
different values for m and b. These constants are known as parameters. Not all graphs that
look like lines represent linear functions: The graph of any linear function is a line. However,
a function’s graph can look like a line without actually being one.
MAT 111 Summary of Key Points for Section 1.4
1.4 Formulas for Linear Functions
Problems 1, 4, 12, 13, 17, 18, 24, 30, 31, 34, 38, 40
Interpreting the effects of different rates of change and the initial values on the graphs of
linear functions
To find a formula for a linear function we find the values for the slope, m, and the vertical
intercept, b in the formula y = b + mx.
Finding a Formula for a Linear Function from a Table of Data
If a table of data represents a linear function, we first calculate m and then determine b.
Finding a Formula for a Linear Function from a Graph
We can calculate the slope, m, of a linear function using two points on its graph. Having found
m we can use either of the points to calculate b, the vertical intercept.
Finding a Formula for a Linear Function from a Verbal Description
Alternative Forms for the Equation of a Line
The following equations represent lines:



The slope-intercept form is: y = b + mx where m is the slope and b is the yintercept
The point-slope form is y − y0 = m(x − x0) where m is the slope and (x0, y0) is a
point on the line.
The standard form is Ax + By + C = 0 where A, B, and C are constants.
If we know the slope of a line and the coordinates of a point on the line, it is often convenient to
use the point-slope form of the equation.
MAT 111 Summary of Key Points for Section 1.5
1.5 Geometric Properties of Linear Functions
Problems 2, 6, 10, 11, 12, 16, 22, 25, 30, 32
Interpreting the Parameters of a Linear Function
The slope-intercept form for a linear function is y = b + mx, where b is the y-intercept and m is
the slope. The parameters m and b can be used to compare linear functions.
The Effect of Parameters on the Graph of a Linear Function
Let y = b + mx. Then the graph of y against x is a line.




The y-intercept, b, tells us where the line crosses the y-axis.
If the slope, m, is positive, the line climbs from left to right. If the slope is
negative, the line falls from left to right.
The slope, m, tells us how fast the line is climbing or falling.
The larger the magnitude of m, (either positive or negative), the steeper the
graph of f.
Intersection of Two Lines
To find the point at which two lines intersect, notice that the (x, y)-coordinates of such a point
must satisfy the equations for both lines. Thus, in order to find the point of intersection
algebraically, solve the equations simultaneously. If linear functions are modeling real
quantities, their points of intersection often have practical significance.
Equations of Horizontal and Vertical Lines
For any constant k:


The graph of the equation y = k is a horizontal line and its slope is zero.
The graph of the equation x = k is a vertical line and its slope is undefined.
Slopes of Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Let l1 and l2 be two lines having slopes m1 and m2 respectively. Then:

These lines are parallel if and only if m1 = m2.

These lines are perpendicular if and only if
.
MAT 111 Summary of Key Points for Section 1.6
MAT 111 Summary of Key Points for Section 1.6
1.6 Fitting Linear Functions to Data
Problems 1, 2, 3, 5
Regression Line
When real data are collected in the laboratory or the field, they are often subject to experimental
error. Even if there is an underlying linear relationship between two quantities, real data may not
fit this relationship perfectly. However, even if a data set does not perfectly conform to a linear
function, we may still be able to use a linear function to help us analyze the data.
Fitting the best line to a set of data is called linear regression. One way to fir a line is to draw a
line “by eye”. Alternatively, many computer programs and calculators compute regression lines.
Interpolation and Extrapolation
In general, interpolation tends to be more reliable than extrapolation because we are making a
prediction on an interval we already know something about instead of making a prediction
beyond the limits of our knowledge.
Correlation
When a computer or calculator calculates a regression line, it also gives a correlation coefficient,
r. This number lies between -1 and +1 and measures how well a particular regression line fits
the data. If r = 1, the data lie exactly on a line of positive slope. If r = −1, the data lie exactly on
a line of negative slope. If r is close to 0, the data may be completely scattered, or there may be
a non-linear relationship between the variables.
The Difference between Relation, Correlation, and Causation
It is important to understand that a high correlation (positive or negative) between to quantities
does not imply causation. Also, a correlation of 0 does not imply that there is no relationship
between x and y. A correlation of r = 0 usually implies there is no linear relationship between x
and y, but this does not mean there is no relationship at all.